March 8, 2026, 10:39 a.m. MT
The Denver Broncos are bringing back inside linebacker Justin Strnad, according to a report from James Palmer of Bleacher Report. Strnad will sign a three-year deal worth $18 million, according to multiple reports.
Palmer reported that Strnad will receive $10 million guaranteed with $5.1 million guaranteed at signing.
Strnad (6-3, 235 pounds) originally entered the league as a fifth-round pick out of Wake Forest in the 2020 NFL draft. After missing his rookie season with a wrist injury, Strnad started five games out of necessity in 2021 before being relegated to special teams duties from 2022-2023.
Denver then called on Strnad to start eight games as an injury fill-in in 2024, and he played well enough to earn a one-year contract extension. Strnad started eight games again last fall, once again as an injury replacement. Over the last two years, he recorded 131 tackles, 12 quarterback hits, 7.5 sacks and one interception on 1,251 snaps.
Strnad made it clear before NFL free agency that he only wanted to sign with the opportunity to be a full-time starter. The 29-year-old linebacker will presumably now be in line to start in 2026. It remains to be seen what the club has planned for Alex Singleton, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent on Wednesday.
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